Wall depository



June 4, 1968 'r. 1.. PETERSON ETAL 3,386,393

WALL DEPOS ITORY Filed April 26. 1966 .pe'mezffmeiawu United States Patent ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A wall depository adapted for insertion in an opening within a wall with means being provided on said depository for securing it to the wall and further means being provided to prevent access to said securing means.

This invention relates to a wall depository for safekeeping of articles.

In its broad aspects the present invention relates to an improved wall depository which is particularly adapted for ready mounting on a wall of a building for depositing of articles for safekeeping. According to one aspect of the invention, an improved wall depository is provided which can be readily mounted on either an interior or exterior wall of a building, such as a residence, for depositing articles such as house keys and other articles. The present wall depository is characterized by its simplicity of conconstruction and ease of installation.

The construction and advantages of the present wall depository will be readily apparent in View of the following description considered in conjunction with the attached drawing wherein:

FIGURE I is a front end view of one preferred form of a wall depository.

FIG. II is a cross section taken along the line II-H of FIG. I and showing the wall depository mounted on a wall in locked position.

FIG. III is a view similar to FIG. II but showing the wall depository in open position.

FIG. IV is a rear view of the front door of the wall depository showing one arrangement of a locking mechanism.

Referring to the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawing, the main body of the receptacle consists of a seamless tube 11, preferably made of metal. The rear of the tube is closed by end closure '12 which can be made an integral part of the tube 11, or for ease in construction, can be a separate end closure which is rigidly attached thereto by screws 13. Extending completely around the outer periphery of the tube 11 adjacent the front or open end thereof is a circumferential recess 14 which is adapted to receive a circular fastening ring 15. This fastening ring 15 is preferably constructed in two semi-circular shaped portions to permit ready insertion into the recess 14. The fastening ring 15 is provided with a plurality of apertures for reception of nails or screws 16 by means of which the depository is secured to the surface of the building wall. Overlying and covering the circular fastening ring 15 and secured thereto by suitable means such as epoxy glues or resins is a finishing ring 17. The finishing ring 17 is somewhat smaller in width than the fastening ring 15 but is of sufficient size to extend to the periphery thereof so as to completely cover the fastening ring when in position. When the finishing ring 17 3,385,393 Patented June 4, 1968 is secured in position overlying the fastening ring access to the screws 16 or other means by which the fastening ring 15 is attached to the building wall is prevented.

Access to the wall depository is provided by means of a pivotable front door 20 which has an inwardly sloping or bevelled inner edge 21. Door 20 pivots on two diametrically opposed pins, only one of which, 22, is shown in the drawing, which pins project laterally into the interior wall of the tube 11. A combination tumbler lock 23 of the conventional well known cylinder type is secured to the inner surface of rear door 20. Any suitable locking arrangement can be employed including, of course, key locks. As shown in FIG. IV, the combination tumbler lock 23 is provided with a curved locking arm 24, the free or distal end 25 thereof being of a proper size to slidably engage within an aperture 27 within the interior wall of tube 11. As is known, the tumbler lock can be opened by dialing the proper numerical sequence on the dial 28, at which time the tumblers being properly aligned permit movement of the locking arm 24. To this end a slot 30 is provided near the upper periphery of door 20 and projecting therethrough is a stud 32, the inner end of which is secured to the locking arm as at 33. When the proper combination is dialed on the combination dial 28 the looking arm is free to move and it can be moved downwardly out of engagement with aperture 27 by means of stud 32.

The relative up and down movement of the locking arm is shown in FIG. IV with the dotted lines thereof indicating its position when the lock is in open position and the solid lines thereof indicating its position when the lock is in locked position.

In mounting the wall depository on a building wall, a relatively small section of the wall is removed sufficient to accommodate the tube 11 which is then inserted therein. The fastening ring 15 is then inserted in the recess 14 and the fastening ring is secured to the wall 34 by means of nails or screws 16. The finishing ring 17 is then attached to overlay the fastening ring by means of a suitable adhesive such as epoxy glues or resins. The fastening ring is then protected from being removed by means of a screwdriver or other implement in the hands of a thief or other person.

The present wall depository is eminently suited for installation on an exterior wall of a building such as a residence for depositing therein house keys and like articles. For this purpose the wall depository is preferably located near the door of the building and if desired a cover plate 36 (shown raised and broken away in FIG. IH) can be hingedly attached to the wall above the wall depository so as to conceal the wall depository and possibly enhance the esthetic appearance of the building. This cover plate can be similar in construction to cover plates commonly employed on residential buildings to conceal accessible electrical outlets, mail slots and so forth.

Those modifications and equivalents which fall within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claim are to be considered part of the invention.

I claim:

I. A depository for safekeeping of articles adapted for installation within a building wall comprising a generally cylindrical receptacle having a closed inner end adapted to be disposed within an opening in a wall, a pivotable door closing the opposed open end thereof and pivoting on diametrically spaced pivot pins which project laterally into the interior of said receptacle, a circum- 3 4 ferential recess extending around the outer periphery of References Cited the receptacle adjacent the open end thereof, a circular UNITED STATES PATENTS fastening ring constructed in two semlcircular portions and having the inner periphery thereof disposed within 770,142 9/1904 9? 10950 said recess, means for securing said fastening ring to a 5 9607982 6/1910 Melhnk at building wall, a circular finishing ring rigidly secured to 1,546,884 7/1925 Burnett 10950 and overlying said fastening ring and means for locking said Pivotable door in locked position REINALDO P. MACHADO, Primary Examiner. 

